Motor vehicle



' L. MELANOWSKI MOTOR VEHICLE MELANowsKl uo'rorz VEHICLE Filed Jan. 5, 1920 s sheets-sheet 2A No l 1927' l 1 647 974 I -f MELANowsm MOTOR VEHICLE fil) Patented Nov. 1, 1927.

UNITED STATES f n i,647,974

earner orricn.

LEO MELANOWSKI, GF CLEVELAND, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO THE UNION TRUST COMPANY, OPERATING TRUSTEE, OF CLEVELAND, OHO, A CORPORATION OF OI'IIO.

MOTOR VEHICLE.

Application filed January 5, 1920. Serial No. 349,488.

This invention relates to motor vehicles, more particularly to the power transmitting mechanism therefor.

One object of the invention is to provide an improved power transmitting mechanism capable of transmitting the power' of the engine to the drive wheel or wheels of the vehicle effectively and economically.

Another object of the invention is to provide a power transmitting mechanism in which the proper speed reduction may be secured between the propeller shaft and the traction wheel or wheels to propel the vehicle positively and economically.

A furtherobject of the invention is to simplify, in construction and arrangement, the elements constituting the power transmitting mechanism.

Another object of the invention is to enclose and protect certain of the power transmitting elements, to insure efficient operation, durabilit and proper lubrication thereof. f

Another object of the invention is tol driving elements between the wheels and` shaft sections with the braking elements for the wheel or wheels in a novel manner.

Another object of the invention is to so construct and correlate the elements consti- `tuting the differential and speed reducing mechanisms and the housing members therefor that adjustments, assembly and disassembly of such elements and members may be readily made.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved hub the elements of which are of relatively simple construction and capable of easy assembly,

Other objects of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art to which my invention relates from the following description. taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.

For the purpose of illustration, l have, in the accompanying drawings shown and herein described'one form of apparatus em-A bodying my invention.

In the drawings, Fig. l is a fragmentary view, partly in section, showing a power transmitting mechanism embodying my im vention. A

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view of the parts shown in Fig. l.'

Figa?) is a section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4i is a of Fig; 2.

section on the line fl-t is a section on the line 55 of is ay section on the line 6-*6 of 7 is a section` on the line 7-7 of is a section on the line 84-S of 2a. to the outer one of which the spokes 2X v are secured in any well known manner. The members 2, 21", are formed on `their opposing walls with correspondingly shaped and spaced longitudinally extending ribs and grooves, vwhereby they may be telescoped rigidly together and locked against rotary movement, one relative to the other. 3 indicates an annular plate preferably formed integral with the inner end of the inner hub member 2a. One purpose of this plate is to provide an abutment against which the inner end of the hub member 2 rests when the hub members 2, 2a', are assembled. At 2b, the `hub Ymember 2 is formed with an annular recess to receive the outer race 5 of' an anti-friction bearing 5. The inner race 5 of the bearing 5 is mounted on the outer end of the axle 4l. At 6 the plate is provided with an annular rib, concentric to the axis of the wheel 2, whereby is formed a seat for the outer race 6 of an anti-frietion bearing Gf 7 indicates asleeve in which the axle 4L vis supported. At itsy outer end, the sleeve 7 is formed with an annular recess which forms a seat for the innerrace of the bearing G. The bearings 5 and 6 are preferably of the tapered roller type and arranged so as to take all thrusts endwise of the axle l in either direction. The wheel `hub 2 is preferably removably held on the axle Zthy a washer la andfnut ab, which has einen" threaded connection 'with the outer fill eine the inns construeH G be ador free end o'l' the axle ner race et the bearing' tion permits the bearings justed from une te tii'nc. ie nrt lb n'ray be locked in its adjusted position suitable devices7 such for example a cotter pin indicated at fr. indicates a cap which may be `secured to the outer end ol' the hub member 2 in any Well, known inanner. Vllhe cap 2d serves to close in a dust proo't and liquid tight manner the outer end el' the hub 2a 'for Well. knoivn reasons.

rthe sleeve I is provided at. opposite sides with suitable integral supports 'la formed with openings 'Th to receive bolts 7 or other suitable devices. to elarnp the spring' 4r to the sleeve T. @n its upper Wall.r and between the supports 7% 'the sleeve is preferably cutaway as shown at Td. and the axle l is cut away on its upper str tace he cv,v the cut-away 7d te 'forni a 'dat seat 7@ rer the spring' ll and side walls "0 between vivliicl'i the spring' tits. is a Vresult' of this coi'istruction. the spring t eneag'es the seat T@ between the supports 7 end is clainped. lhereagainst by the devices 7C. lt/Then so clarnied the spring' Il 4;. ene" el `i t) i locks the sleeve Z and axle together and prevents relative movement therebetween about or endivise ot the axle Ll. lt will therefore be see that. without the use of any clamping e'lenients. other than those required 'to hold the spring; Il in position on 'the snpports la and axle 4f, l secure the sleeve 7 to the latter; in other Words, l ani enabled to so cla-nip the spring' to the axle 4l that it serres to secure the sleeve in .tired position.

8 indicates a ring' incinber carried by the plate 'lhe ring); ineinber 8 is provided on its inner ivall with teeth and torins one ot' the eleinents through which the power oit the engine not shown) is transmitted to 'the adjacent wheel et the vehicle. The rin g gear S is preferably Vtorined separately troni the plate B, bul' is secured to the inner tace 'thereot, preterabl. adjacent its periphery? by a plurality ot `rivets 9. The plate 3 may be provided with annular shoulder 9* to 'lorin a seat 'For the ring' tig-ear 8.

l() indicates a housing' which eneloses a dilierential n'iechanisin indicated as an entirely at ll. and certain ot the power transmitting elen'ients to be later described. rllhe housing' preferably conn'n'ises a substanti ally circuni'terential side .vall l0 provided on its bottoni with a pillow block l0". having a scuri-circular 4 recess l0?. that is adapted to engage `with and rest upon the axle Ll. l()d indicates a yoke piece. .fitting-r around the axle l and engaging' at its oppoeiteends the pillovv block 10. l0 indicates bolts which et'- tends through the yoke piece and into screiv threaded openings torined in the pilloiv block lO) to detachably connect the housing; 10 to the ll.

1.0i indicates end Walls or plates for 'the housing' 10. ylfhe end Walls are ot a shape to engage the cireunnterential edges ot the side Wall l0. Each end Wall is formed vvith an inivard'ljr extendiinr rib UV ivhich engages and lits Within the 'tree edges ot the ivall 101. the latter ecg'es being' preferably inturned as shown in Figs. l and 2. to torni relatively wide engaging; walls tor the end v-:ai'ls or plates. rl ne end Walls or plates niay be detachably secured to the inturned edges el: the vrall lll by cap screws 10g. l0 indicates an opening' torined substantially centrally through each end plate l c and adapted to receive the inner end of a tubular ineinber l2. l`re'teraliily each end plate lOG is prov'ded with a collar lOl" to 'for n a socket tor inner end of the tubular ineinber l2. he collar lOl is preferably split, shown at ill and toi-ined iv'th aligned openings through which a bolt lill extends to clamp the collar to the adjacent end of the tubular ineniber The tulmlar ineinbere l2 extend laterally in opposite directions and enclose poiver transinitting shafts 13, which carry at their outer ends pinions le (only one beshoivn) which inesh with the `gears 8 (see Figs. 2 and 8) to drive the Wheels 2.

@t the differential mechanism ll, ll indicates a driven shait which is connected, by any suitable ineans, such as a universal joint, to the rear end of the propeller shaft (not shovrn).

1lb, lll, indicate anti-friction bearings arranged t support the trent and rear ends et the driven shaft lll. These bef` 'ings are preferably oil the tapered relier type, the eleuens ot Which are oppofitely disposed to tal'e thrusts endivise oi" tle shalt ll in either direction. llc7 11"" indicate supports for the antrtriction bearings 1lb, lib. respectively. Tl esc supports preferably coinprise cap ineinbers removably and adjustably mounted in openings llX t'ornied in the 'front and rear portions ol the housing' side ivall 10; The sui'riorting members il, 1.1"', are ijiretcrably provided vfilli screw threaos and engage screiv threads on thc inner valls of "he openings ll* to .permit the ready assen'il'ily. disasen'ibl),v and :uliustn'ient "i t oi the bearings il, llc and shalt ltk By prefer" ence. the side .vz ll l0" is provided with tubular extensions or collars 10' surrounding; the woening's ll" therein. VEach o'l these collars may be split. and the Valls' o'lf the split portion toii'ned ith aligned openings lo receive a clann'iing bolt and nut (see Figs. l and ivhereliy the adjacent support lln or 11" can be l'iXcd vin its adjusted position. it llh each support il, ll, is lnfovided vcith an interi'ial rib which tornis a recess 'for the outer race et the adjacent bearing. `1 le indicates a plurality ot' stu extending radially et the driven sha'tt 1P. These studs are ireterably tori'ned inJ with.v driven sha'lft a collar lll) section 13 extends.

4out-er end of tbe tubular member fits.

`Leitner/i llfindicates a pluralityvof beveled pinions loosely mounted on the studs 11e. indicate differential gears loosely mounted upon the driven shaft 11 and meshing with the beveled pinions 1111 Each diderential gear is provided with. a laterally extending' sleeve or hub 11h which is provided at its outer end with a pinion 11i. As shown in Fig. l, each gear 11g, 11i, and the adjacent sleeve 11h and pinion 11i are preferably formed integrally and so constructed that the outer face of each pinion 11i forms an annular seat to receive the inner race of the adjacent bearing 11" or lll".

14 indicates a gear .mounted on the inner end of each shaft section 1?. The gears 14 are in mesh with and driven by the pinions 11i, to transmit the power of the engine to and through the diii'erential to the shaft Sections 13. As shown in the drawings, l prefer to make both pinionsv 11i and both gears 14 of the saine size, respectively. 1ilVhci'i so constructed, the axes of the gears 14 are offset relatively, to each other -f'o ythat each gear 14 may be driven without interference with the driving pinion 1lfl fer the other gear 14.` To provide for this arrangement, the shaft sections 13 are arranged equal distances from and on opposite sides of a plane extending at right angles to the axis of the shaft 112L and preferably cutting the axis of the shaft 4 and wheel 2, as will be understood by reference to Figs. 1, 6 and 7.

15 indicates a plate surrounding vand preferably formed integrally with the sleeve 7. One function of this plate is to provide a support for the outer end of the tubular member 12 through which the adjacent shaft For this purpose the 'plate 15' is formed with an opening 15 in which is removably mounted in any well known manner a collar 16 into which the As shown, the collars 10hl and 16 are formed with annular seats for anti-friction bearings 17, '18, in which the adjacent shaft section rotates. These bearings are preferably of the tapered roller type and oppositely `disposed to take thrusts endwise of the shaft section in either direction.

19, 29, indicate a pair of spa-ced outer and inner cup-shaped members, the circumferential side walls of whichwindicated at 19, 20, respectively-arc arranged' concentrically, relatively to each other and the axle 4. The side wall 19a of the member 19 may serve as a brake drum, in the usual manner, it being spaced from the side wall 2Oa of the member 20 to permit the use of brake shoes against bothits inner and outer surfaces, as is usual in modern types of self-propelled vehicles.

The cup-shaped member 19 may besecured to the wheel or wheel-hub by any well known means, the means shown for illusin, iis,-

The cup4 shaped member 2O and plate 15 co-operate to form an enclosing chamber for the power transmitting elements 8 and 14. For this purpose. the peripheral edge of the side wall 20a of the cup-shaped member 2() is secured to the plate 15. In order that the connections between these elements may be made tight to hold a lubricant, the plate 15 is provided with an inwardly extending rib 15a. The free edge of the rib 15a has an annular' shoulder which engages a correspondingly shaped shoulder on the side wall 20a. The wall 2()a and plate 15 may be secured together by a plurality of screws 22 (see Fig. 6). The wall of the cup-shaped member 29 surrounding the opening 20a may be thickened and formedl with a recess 29') to receive a gasket 23l to prevent leakage of the lubricant in the chamber formed by the member 20 and plate 15 from escaping.

24 indicates the brake shoes which operate uponthe inner surface of the brake drum 19a. The shoes 24 are preferably of substantially semi-circular shape. They are supported at adjacent ends upon a rod 25 which is .mounted in aligned openings, 26, 27, formed in thickened walls of the rib 15a and side wall 20a of the cup-shaped member 20. Between these thickened walls is formed a recess 28 into which the adjacent'ends of the shoes 24 extend to engage the rod 25 (see 1). rlhe end walls of the recess 28 serve as stops to prevent movementof the shoes endwise of the shaft or rod 25. These walls therefore keep the shoes in proper position relative -to the brake drum 19a.

28 indicates a cam device which engages the free ends of the brake shoes 24 to operate them against'the drum 19a. The cam device 28 is fixed to a rock shaft 28'LL which is mounted in aligned bearing openings 29, 80. formed in side wall 2() and plate 15, respectively, diametrically opposite the openings 26, 2T. The rock shaft 28a' is extended laterally through the plate 15 and carries at its outer end an arm 31 by means of which the shaft 28a may be operated.

32 indicates as an entirety means for maintaining eachbrakeshoe in retracted position. Of these means 32;1L indicates a socket preferably formed integrally with the adjacent shoe. 32b -indicates an opening formed in the bottom wall of the socket 82a. 33 indicates a bolt disposed centrally of the ill its 'free end with a screw threaded openingn 33a 'formed in the wall 20% 3o indicates a coiled spring surronrding` 'the'bolt 33 and disposed betiveen its head and the bottom Wall of the socket 32,

3G indicates the brake slices which ei'igage the external surface ot the drum. Ylhe shoes 36 are operated and released in a. Well lrnoivn manner by the delices indicated as an en tirety at ST.

From the 't'oregoing description it will be seen that i have provided power transmitting n'iechanism ivherein the poiver is transmitted through sha't'ts or shaft sections other than the sna'lt upon which the Wheels rotate and which carries the load. At the same. time l have transmitted the povfer directly to the Wheel hnbs and provi ded a double reduction oi speed, tlins utilizing in an effective manner the power ot the engine to drive the vehicle. lt vfill also be seen that the driven eleniients betiveen the shafts '13 and hubs 2 comprise ,spur gears and that the gears lined to the hnbs are et the internal type; urthern'iOre, these latter gears may be readily and economically replaced by new ones When necessary.

Another advantageincident to my invention results in the arrangen'ient ot the gears which are connected to the Wheel hubs. is shown, these gears are disposec Within and concentric to the bralie drum. ills a result of 'this construction l am enabled to correlate my poiver transmitting mechanism with standard as Well preferred types of brake mechanisms, and the same time provide an enclosure Ytor the driving elements, Where.- by the latter may be protected against dust and the elements and efficiently lubricated.

From the 'foregoing description it will further be l provide an enclosing 32a, extending` through the opening and hai/ing screviY tl'iread connection at seen that i casing ttor the pouver transmit-ing` elements adjacent each ivheel hub. rlhis casing not only keeps outI dirt and other 'foreign matters but being` liquid tight, it may be lilled 'with a liioricant in which the elements run without dann'er ot injury or undue Wear. 'lhis conetli` tion is also advantageous because it permits the provision of an internal bra e n'ieehanism in a relatively simple 1nanner. 'lhis correlation oi" elen'ionts also periiits me to amply protect the internal brake Vshoes and thcbralcing surfaces therefor by edonding the inner Wall ot the chamber tor the poiver transmitting elements outwardly sutriciently to tit close against or Within the side Wall 19a.

llVhen so constructed, it ivill .be seen that the internal bralfe n'iechanisrn is enclosed Within a snbstan ally dnstproot chamber (see l and lily im aroved dil iierential mechanism is relatively simple in L elements mounted on driver.

membeiz The member being arranged in the plane ot the shaft sections mal es it possible to connect the differential gears direct with the shaft sections. its the `driven member is i'nount'ed in removable bearings at its opposite. ends at opposite sides o1 the ditlerential housing and the openings therein lor the bearings are oit greater diameter than the gears and pinions and other elen'ients ot the dil'lferential mechanism, it Will be understood that all ot these elements can be readily assembled and removed.

To those skilled in the art to which this invention relates many alterations in construction and Widely differing: embodiments and applications ot my invention Will stigest theniselves Without d parting Yfrom the tpirt and scope thereof. i disclosures and lescription herein purely illustrative and not intended to be in any sense limitine. illhat claim is:

l. ln apiiiaratus ot the class described, the combination with an axle, ot a Wheel rotatably mounted on said axle, a gear lifted to the heb o' said Wheel. a shaft section carrying a pinion meshii'ig with said gear, a casing enclosing' said rear and pinion and termed with an opening` through which the shaft section entends and having' inwardly and outwardly extending, axially disposed bosses, and a bearing lor the hub of said Wheel on said outirardly extending boss, the inwardly esdending` boss serving; as a spring support.

in apparatus of the class described, the combination with an axle, of ak Wheel rotatably mounted on said axle, a gear fixed to the hub et said .vheel, asha'tt section carrying; a pinion meshing' With sy id pear, a plate fixed to said axle boviney an axially disposed ont- Wardly extendingv boss, and a casing member snrronnding said gear secured to said plate and cooperating therewith to enclose said gear and pinion and a bearing on said boss for the hub ot said Wheel.

3. l'n apparatus ot the class described, the combination With an axle, ot a wheel rotatably mounted thereon. a gear lined to the linb ot said Wheel, a power driven shaft section provided with a pinion meshing with said gear, a pair oit cup-shaped members the side Walls oli which surround and are arranged concentric to the anis ot' said gear, a brake mechanism associated With the side V"all ot said inner inen'iber and arranged lo act against the inner surface of the side `wall ot said enter men ber, and a. plate con operating with the side will of the inner member to enclose said ,gear and pinion..

ln apparatus et the class described, the combination with an axle., of a Wheel rotatably mounted thereon, a gear lined to the hub or said wheel, a poiver driven shaft section provided With a pinion meshingwith said gear, a, pair et cup-shaped members the Walls ci?. which surround yes lli)

llt)

lll

ranged concentric to the axis of said gear, a brake mechanism arranged to act upon the inner surface of the side wall of said outer member, a plate co-Operating with the side Wall oi' the inner member to enclose said gear and pinion and means tor actuating said brake mechanism mounted in said inner cup shaped member and said plate.

5. In apparatus ot' the class described, the combination With an axle, of a Wheel rotatably mounted thereon, a gear fixed to the hub of said Wheel, a power driven shaft section provided with a pinion meshing with said gear, a pair of cup-shaped members the side Walls of which surround and are arranged concentric to the axis ot said gear, a brake mechanism arranged to actupon the inner surface 0i the side Wall ot said outer member, and a plate cooperating With the side Wall ot the inner member to enclose said gear and pinion and with the side Wall of theouter member to enclose the braking surfaces ot said brake mechanism.

6. In apparatus ot the class described, the combination with an axle, of a Wheel rotatably mounted thereon, a gear iixed to the hub of said Wheel, a power driven shaft section provided With a pinion meshing with said gear, a pair of cup-shaped members the side Walls of which surround and are arranged concentric to the axis ot said gear, a brake mechanism associated with the side Wall oi said outer member, and a plate co-operating with the side Wall of the inner member to enclose said gear and pinion and means for normally maintaining said brake shoes in a retracted position, one element of said means being connected to said inner member.

7. In apparatus of the class described, the combination With an axle, of a Wheel rotatably mounted thereon, a gear fixed to the hub oit said Wheel, a power driven shaft section provide-d with a pinion meshing With said gear, a pair ot Cupshaped members the side Walls of which surround and are arranged concentric to the axis of said gear, a'brake mechanism associated With the .side Wall of said outer member, a plate co-operating With the side Wall ot said inner member to enclose said gear and pinion, and liquid tightv connections between the bottom Wall of said inner member and a flange on said outer cup shaped member.

8. In apparatus of the class described, the combination with an axle, of a Wheel rotatably mounted thereon, a gear ixed to the hub ot said Wheel, af power driven shaft section provided With a pinion meshing With said gear, a pair of cup-shaped members the side Walls oit which surround and are arranged concentric to the axis of said gear, a plate co-operating with the side Wall of said inner member to enclose said gear and pinion, and brake mechanisms associated With the inner and outer surfaces of the side Wall ot said outer member, that tor the inner surtace being supported from the inner of said cup shaped members.

9. In apparatus ot theA class described, the combination with an axle, oi a Wheel rotatab ly mounted thereon of outer, inner and intermediate cup-shaped members the side Walls of which are arranged concentric to the .axis of said axle, the side Wall of the inner member being provided With geary teeth, means for connecting the outer and inner members to said Wheel, a shaft section provided With a pinion meshing With said gear teeth, a brake mechanism arranged to act against the inner surface of the side Wall ot said outer member and supported on said intermediate member, and a plate through which said shaft section extends, co-operating with the side Walls ot said outer and intermediate members to form chambers enclosing said gear teeth and pinions and said brake mechanism.`

In testimony Whereot` I ax my signature.

LEO MELNOIVSKI. 

